The lucky dog had plunged into an icy Hales Road pond after wandering onto thin ice still covering the small body of water.

Firefighters were called about 10:30 a.m. to the floundering dog, which was unable to get out of the water on its own. The crew dispatched to the scene donned their cold-water suits and, tethered to land by a rope, headed into the frigid water to the animal.

The dog was quickly rescued from the pond and turned over the town's animal-control officer, who brought it to a veterinarian for evaluation.

Firefighters said the incident should serve as a warning to people to carefully evaluate the safety of ice before venturing out.

They also point out that, under similar circumstance, a call to "911" is the best way to rescue a person or animal in distress, and not to attempt a rescue themselves. National figures show that about two-thirds of would-be rescuers become victims themselves, according to firefighters.